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Atlanta United Vs New York City FC: 5 key players to watch – Captain Parkhurst

By Josh Bouland

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 28: NYCFC's David Villa (7) is held by Atlanta's Michael Parkhurst resulting in a yellow card during a MLS match between Atlanta United and NYCFC on May 28, 2017 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta United defeated NYCFC 3 1. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 28: NYCFC's David Villa (7) is held by Atlanta's Michael Parkhurst resulting in a yellow card during a MLS match between Atlanta United and NYCFC on May 28, 2017 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta United defeated NYCFC 3 1. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON- OCTOBER 28 – Toronto FC defender Justin Morrow (2) has a shot blocked Atlanta United defender Michael Parkhurst (3) as Toronto FC beat Atlanta United 4-1 in their final game to wrap up a disappointing season after their previous MLS Cup season at BMO Field in Toronto. October 28, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- OCTOBER 28 – Toronto FC defender Justin Morrow (2) has a shot blocked Atlanta United defender Michael Parkhurst (3) as Toronto FC beat Atlanta United 4-1 in their final game to wrap up a disappointing season after their previous MLS Cup season at BMO Field in Toronto. October 28, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

1. Michael Parkhurst

Captain Michael Parkhurst is going to have his hands full on Sunday. For starters, the pitch at Yankee Stadium is the smallest in the league, meaning both teams have less space to operate with. NYCFC are used to their home pitch and know how to utilize that space. It will be up to Parkhurst to organize the back line and slow the Cityzens down.

Parkhurst is having a strong season, so much so that he is a finalist for Defender of the Year. Even at the young age of 34, Parkhurst is turning heads and impressing all those that surround him. His style is the epitome of “work smarter, not harder.” There are numerous times where Parkhurst puts himself in the perfect position to make a play.

Being a veteran MLS player helps as well. Through seven seasons in the league, Parkhurst has 22 appearances in the postseason. That’s over half of a regular season and that experience will prove invaluable.

In fact, that experience has already been shown to Atlanta supporters. In last season’s knockout round match against Columbus Crew, Parkhurst made the play of the game and possibly the season. I attended that match, and as the ball was heading towards goal, you could feel the energy of the fans leave the building. But all of a sudden, the ball came bouncing away from Parkhurst’s foot and immediately the energy from the fans picked up.

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Although Atlanta lost in penalties, that play saved the game for the Five Stripes and gave the crowd a moment to remember. We should expect more of the same from Parkhurst starting this Sunday.

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